KEUKA PARK, N.Y. — The Keuka College Men's Basketball team earned a 73–62 home victory over Alfred University on Saturday afternoon in an Empire 8 contest at the JMW Recreation and Athletics Center
 
Lamar Lovelace led Keuka College (8–12, 5–6 Empire 8) with 24 points. The senior added eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals in the win. Akinlana Popoola finished with 16 points, shooting 4-for-8 from three-point range, while Kaleb Nutifafa added nine points. Quinn VanKerkhove chipped in seven points and five assists and Makya Morrison contributed seven rebounds and two blocks.
 
Keuka College 73 vs Alfred University 62
Keuka wasted no time establishing control, opening the game on a 10–0 run fueled by strong ball movement and perimeter shooting. Makya Morrison opened the scoring with a jumper in the paint before Akinlana Popoola knocked down back-to-back three-pointers, including a fast-break triple that forced an early Alfred timeout. Kaleb Nutifafa added a basket inside, and Lamar Lovelace continued to orchestrate the offense, assisting on multiple early scores. Keuka extended the lead to as many as 13 points midway through the half as Lovelace and Popoola continued to connect from deep. Alfred slowly worked its way back into the game behind perimeter shooting, trimming the margin with a series of three-pointers. Keuka continued to answer with timely baskets, including another three from Lovelace, but the Saxons closed the half strong. Alfred scored in the final seconds, taking advantage of a late possession to knock down a buzzer-beating three and carry a narrow 32–29 lead into halftime.
The Wolves responded immediately after the break. Lovelace opened the second half with a jumper to cut the deficit to one, and Keuka quickly reclaimed the lead as Popoola scored five straight points in transition, highlighted by a fast-break layup and a pull-up three. Keuka continued to pressure Alfred defensively, forcing turnovers that led to easy scoring opportunities. Morrison finished a dunk in traffic, and Lovelace pushed the margin to double figures with consecutive baskets in the paint. Alfred attempted to rally midway through the half, cutting the lead to single digits with strong interior play, but Keuka answered each push. Nutifafa converted at the free throw line, and Quinn VanKerkhove knocked down a key three-pointer late to stretch the lead back to seven. Down the stretch, Keuka remained composed, converting free throws and capitalizing on fast-break chances. Lovelace sealed the game with a late dunk in transition, punctuating a strong second-half performance as the Wolves pulled away for the 73–62 Empire 8 victory.
 
KC Notes:

• The Wolves outscored Alfred 44–30 in the second half
• The 11-point victory marked Keuka's largest margin of victory against Alfred University
• Keuka recorded 22 fast break points, compared to three for Alfred
• Keuka held Alfred to 32.0 percent shooting in the second half
• The Wolves finished with a 38–34 advantage on the glass
• Keuka recorded 22 fast break points compared to three for Alfred
• The Wolves forced 11 turnovers and scored 15 points off turnovers

Up Next for Keuka College: The Wolves will hit the road on Friday for an Empire 8 matchup at Hartwick College, scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tip in Oneonta, N.Y.